The use of the eating disorder examination with children: A pilot study

Abstract

Objective This article describes the use of a slightly modified version of the Eating Disorders Examination (EDE) in children. Methods: Sixteen children aged between 7 and 14 years attending an eating disorders clinic over a 5‐month period were recruited to the study. The two main modifications to the EDE were (A) the inclusion of a sort task to assess overvalued ideas about weight and shape and (B) the reformulation of certain items to assess intent rather than actual behavior. The existing EDE scoring system was used, resulting in item, subscale, and global scores. Results: Of the 16 children (10 F 6 M), 11 had a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa, and 5 of eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS). There were interesting differences in responses on items assessing core overvalued ideas, with weight and/or shape concerns emerging as of great importance in terms of self‐evaluation in the majority of children with anorexia nervosa. Discussion: Results suggest that this may be a useful assessment tool in children, with some children obtaining global and subscale scores consistent with adult norms for females with eating disorders. Problems of the administration of the EDE to this patient group are discussed and details of the modifications used are outlined. © 1996 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Assessment and treatment of eating disorders in children and adolescents

“…It is validated for diagnosis in adults and adolescents down to age 9, although the children's (ChEDE) version is generally used for children and adolescents aged ≥7 years 6. In children and young people, information from parents and carers is needed to corroborate the diagnosis.…”

Eating behavior and familial interactions of children with loss of control eating: a laboratory test meal study

“…Eligible children and their parents were invited to attend a diagnostic session that included diagnostic interviews, self-reported questionnaires, and a measurement of body weight and height. The Eating Disorder Examination adapted for Children (ChEDE) (36,37) was used to ascertain diagnostic status (see Measures). Ethical approval for the conduct of this study was granted through the German Psychological Society's Ethics Committee.…”

A prospective study of pediatric loss of control eating and psychological outcomes.

“…Traditional interview assessments of binge eating behavior require that a binge episode be diagnosed only if the amount of food consumed is deemed “unambiguously large” (Bryant-Waugh, Cooper, Taylor, & Lask, 1996; Fairburn & Cooper, 1993). Given the varying energy needs of physically developing boys and girls, it is often difficult to make this determination for children of different ages.…”